JMU Releases 2018 Football Broadcast Schedule

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison Athletics has completed its comprehensive linear and digital broadcast package for the 2018 football season. Combined with the Colonial Athletic Association's digital package, JMU's broadcast slate features 10 games carried among a combination of broadcast television outlets as well as various digital platforms.

"In our second year constructing an independent television package, I'm thrilled about both the quality and quantity of distributions," Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne said. "This package ensures that JMU Nation has access to watch the Dukes every week. It is instrumental for continuing the trajectory of our program and taking care of our fans."

JMU's television announcement coincides with the release of the conference's broadcast package for the 2018 season. Among the 54 games featured in the league's announcement, JMU leads the way with 10 total broadcasts. The seven games carried on either a national or regional television network (not including satellite) matches the 2017 program record. The package includes all five home games on a regional television network and all four road conference games on one of the league's featured digital productions with CBS or Fox.

"I'm excited for our fan base and to get our name out there more through this season's TV package," Head Coach Mike Houston said. "We have a great name on the East Coast, but for our families and alumni who can't make it to every game to be able to watch the Dukes play is very important to us. We're excited that all but one game will be televised, so everyone should be happy with that."

The 2018 season kicks off with the first regular-season game in program history to air on one of ESPN's national networks as JMU faces N.C. State in a noon kickoff on ESPNU on Sept. 1. The first two home games – Sept. 15 vs. Robert Morris at 6 p.m. and Sept. 22 vs. William & Mary at 3:30 p.m. – will each air on NBC Sports Washington Plus (NBCSW+). The remaining three home games – Oct. 6 vs. Elon at 1:30 p.m., Oct. 27 vs. Stony Brook at 3:30 p.m. and Nov. 10 vs. Rhode Island at 2 p.m. – will air on both Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) and SportsNet New York (SNY).

Additionally, JMU's Sept. 29 game at Richmond will be carried on NBCSW+ at 3 p.m. Both Richmond and the Nov. 17 game at Towson at 2 p.m. will also be offered on a free stream as part of the league's agreement with CollegeSportsLive/CBS Digital. The remaining road conference games on Oct. 13 at Villanova at 1 p.m. and Nov. 3 at New Hampshire at 1 p.m. will be carried as part of the league's agreement with Fox, which includes satellite broadcasts on one of the Fox College Sports channels as well as digital distribution on Fox Sports Go (requires cable authentication).

"It's the reason I took the job," Houston said of the overall broadcast package. "Football is important here and the administration backs all of our programs at JMU. It's not just talk, they put actions behind it. It's no surprise that they back our program like this and get the coverage for our fans in this manner. It shows the commitment to doing things right and at a high level."

MASN reaches over 7 million households in the Mid-Atlantic region spanning from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Charlotte, North Carolina. NBC Sports Washington Plus airs in approximately 3 million homes in a similar footprint. SNY touches 11 million households in the greater New York area. All three outlets are available nationwide on DISH Network and DIRECTV.

Digital Coverage of JMU Football

All 11 regular-season contests will be available on various digital and mobile platforms. The N.C. State season opener can be viewed on WatchESPN (requires cable authentication). All five home contests can be viewed on MadiZONE HD SportsNet, which is presented free to fans via a partnership with the JMU Alumni Association. Those five games can also be viewed on OTT platforms on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Android TV. Television blackouts may impact MadiZONE streaming in Virginia for select games. The Richmond and Towson games on CollegeSportsLive are free digital streams while the Villanova and New Hampshire games on Fox Sports Go require a cable subscription to view the streams. The Sept. 8 game at Norfolk State can be viewed on NSU's Spartan Showcase paid subscription stream.

Radio Coverage of JMU Football

JMU football games will once again air on WSVA AM 550 thanks to a partnership with the Harrisonburg Radio Group. Dave Thomas returns as the play-by-play voice of JMU football alongside color commentator Clint Estes. They will be joined this year by sideline reporter Nikki Newman, a former women's basketball player at JMU and basketball radio color commentator. Radio broadcasts are also available on MadiZONE, WSVA's website and on the TuneIn Radio mobile app.

Tickets Still Available

Tickets for the 2018 season, presented by CarMax, are still available. Season tickets, mini plans and single-game tickets are on sale now by visiting JMUTickets.com or by calling 540-568-3853.

2018 JMU Football Broadcast Schedule

Date	Matchup	Time	Linear TV	Digital Broadcast
Sept. 1	JMU at NC State	Noon	ESPNU	WatchESPN
Sept. 8	JMU at Norfolk State	6 p.m.		Spartan Showcase ($)
Sept. 15	Robert Morris at JMU	6 p.m.	NBCSW+	MadiZONE
Sept. 22	William & Mary at JMU	3:30 p.m.	NBCSW+	MadiZONE
Sept. 29	JMU at Richmond	3 p.m.	NBCSW+	CollegeSportsLive/CBS Digital
Oct. 6	Elon at JMU	1:30 p.m.	MASN/SNY	MadiZONE
Oct. 13	JMU at Villanova	1 p.m.	FOX College Sports	Fox Sports Go
Oct. 27	Stony Brook at JMU	3:30 p.m.	MASN/SNY	MadiZONE
Nov. 3	JMU at New Hampshire	1 p.m.	FOX College Sports	Fox Sports Go
Nov. 10	Rhode Island at JMU	2 p.m.	MASN/SNY	MadiZONE
Nov. 17	JMU at Towson	2 p.m.		CollegeSportsLive/CBS Digital

*Note: All nine linear TV games will be available on DIRECTV and DISH Network
NBCSW+ - NBC Sports Washington Plus
MASN – Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (or MASN2)
SNY – SportsNet New York
WatchESPN requires cable subscription
Fox Sports Go requires cable subscription
Spartan Showcase requires an online subscription
MadiZONE & CBS Digital are free digital streams